Punched tape-controlled card puncher

ABSTRACT

A card-punching arrangement in which information stored on punched tape is transferred to lines of a card punched by a card puncher. Signals from a tape reader are applied to a coding circuit for translating the code from the tape into a code suitable for recording on the card. A counter with forward and reverse counting features is connected to a card puncher by way of a programmable selector in the form of a plugboard to facilitate variation in the program. The information stored on the tape and recorded on card stock may include all of the symbols found on the conventional keyboard of a typewriter.

United States Patent 2,357,460 9/1944 Doty PUNCHED TAPE-CONTROLLED CARD PUNCHER 9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

U.S. 234/15, 234/18, 234/21, 234/73 Int. (I G06k 1/18 Field of Search 234/13, 15,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS TAPE RE ADE 1-7 DECCDER COUNTER Primary Examiner-William S. Lawson Attorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT: A card-punching arrangement in which information stored on punched tape is transferred to lines of a card punched by a card puncher. Signals from a tape reader are applied to a coding circuit for translating the code from the tape into a code suitable for recording on the card. A counter with forward and reverse counting features is connected to a card puncher by way of a programmable selector in the form of a plugboard to facilitate variation in the program. The information stored on the tape and recorded on card stock may include all of the symbols found on the conventional keyboard of a typewriter.

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REVERSE In venlar: @4 r,( K rd p' -arr/dd INPU T BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 position punched card.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for registering upon punched cards, tasks which are designated in a linewise manner, for purposes of data processing. It is the object of the present invention to provide a card-punching machine or arrangement which operates on a linewise basis, and is actuated through the output pulses of a tape reader or the pulse signals from a tape punch.

The objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a coding arrangement through which the output pulse signals of a tape reader or a tape punch are applied preferably to an electronic-pulse counting device. A selector position arrangement is situated between the output positions of the counter and the card punch which operates in a line blockwise manner. This selective position arrangement determines the positions of the hole punches in accordance with the infonnation or data which is to be entered in a line of the card puncher, as taken from a punched tape.

In this arrangement, the carriage-retum pulse actuates simultaneously the line block stamping or punching of the card puncher. In this manner, the cards which are punched in a linewise manner, are advanced by one step, and the pulsecounting arrangement is returned to its initial state.

It is further of advantage to provide for automatic interconnection for further transmission of the pulse signals to the pulse counting device or circuitry when predetermined symbols occur as, for example, carriage-shift symbols from lowercase to uppercase, or from uppercase to lowercase.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the condition that the pulse counter being used is in the form of a unit capable of counting in the forward and reverse or backward directions. When a predetermined symbol prevails, the counter, for examples, will count in the backward or reverse direction.

A particular advantageous arrangement is realized when a programmable plugboard is used in conjunction with the selective arrangement for the counter outputs to be applied to the hole-punching positions of the line puncher. In this manner, any program is easily altered. A modification in a program may thus be easily realized through a simple change in he interconnection of the plugboard, or through an interchange of preprogrammed boards serving as positiondirecting arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A card-punching arrangement by which information contained on punched tape is transferred along a line of a card. A tape reader converts the information stored in the form of holes on the punched tape into electrical signals for transmission to a coding circuit. The latter translates the code of the tape into a code whereby the information is transferred long a line of the card to be used to store the information. A counter with forward and reverse counting features is connected to the coding circuit, and a variable programmer in the form of a plugboard, selectively actuates the punches of a card puncher so that holes are punched along the line of the card, so that the information on the card corresponds to the information on the tape.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a printed form and the section of a punched tape containing the information of the printed form in punched-hole coded fonnat, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a punched card containing information through punched-hole format;

FIG. 3 is a block schematic and shows the arrangement for reading and decoding the infonnation contained on punched "W FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic diagram and shows the detailed circuitry for carrying out the functions of the arrangement of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a hole-punching device used in accordance with the present invention;v

FIG. 6 is a functional chematic diagram of an automatic reproducing arrangement in accordance with the components of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of an electronic pulse counter for use in conjunction with the present invention;

' FIG. 8 is an electrical circuit diagram and shows the detailed elements of the counter of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an electrical circuit diagram of the decoding arrangement used in conjunction with the counter of FIGS. 7 and 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1, an ei t-channel punched tape 2 is programmed to contain the information of a printed form 1. The tape 2 has holes 4 for purposes of transporting the tape longitudinally, and has also holes 5 for purposes of recording information on the tape. The holes 5 are arranged in rows 6 transverse to the transporting direction of the tape. The holes within any one marking row 6, embody a specific symbol or piece of information. The punched holes 5 correspond to the numerals and characters appearing in line 7 of the printed form 1. Thus, the punched holes 5 correspond to the vacant spaces, between the numerals and alphabetical characters, upperand lowercase information, as well as the symbol for the diameter. On line 8 beneath the programmed tape is an illustration of the entire program of the line 7, with the symbols for operating a typewriter. Thus, the program has shown on line 8., Provides for the various characters and symbols which are possible with the common keyboard of a typewriter. The program includes those steps which are required to produce the symbol for the diameter of the circular steel. This symbol is, for example, formed by typing a capital or uppercase O, backspacing, and typing a slant. The designations LU and UL are used to transferthe typewriter from lowercase to uppercase, and from uppercase to lowercase, respectively. The designation Ba is used to indicate a backspacing, whereas the designation CR is used to indicate the carriage return of a typewriter. The use and application of these symbols in conjunction with the punched tape 2, is further illustrated in the description of FIGS. 3 and 4.

A recording medium 3 in the form of a card which may be dimensioned to a standard DIN A 4 fonnat, is shown in FIG. 2. The numerical values of the punched tape 2 or the printed form 1 are to be punched into this card.'The numerical subdivisions 14 from head 1 to 32" implies that the horizontal spaced field [5 beyond each numerical subdivision 14, contains the value or information of the respective head, as well as the information and numerical values for this corresponding line. In the illustrated embodiment, a numerical subdivision 16 of 20 positions is provided for each line. Each of the 20 positions may have numerical values within the range of 0 to 9. A

four-digit code is applied to these positions, so that the values of the individual positions become formed through the arrangement of the information 17 which is, for example, in the form of punched holes within the position complex. Transporting holes 19 are provided for transporting the card stock 3 in linewise direction.

FIG. 3 illustrates in block form the arrangement for evaluating the punched tape 2 and for applying the symbols and characters derived from the tape 2, to a punching arrangement 20, in which the recording card or punched card 3 is to be produced. With the actuation of the pushbutton 21, the switch 22 becomes closed, and the punched-tape reader 25 commences to read and evaluate the information on the punched tape 2. In the reading and sensing of the information on the tape 2, one or more contacts 26 of the punched-tape reader 25 becomes closed, corresponding directly to the.

sensed or sampled symbol on the punched tape 2. The contacts 26 of the tape reader 25 are shown in FIG. 4 which is a detailed circuit diagram of the block schematic of FIG. 3. Upon closure of the respective contacts 26 within the tape reader 25, the signals resulting from these contact closures, are applied to a decoder 27. The latter is constructed of gates 28, 29 and 30 shown in FIG. 4. Since only numerical values are to be recorded upon the card 3, only such numerical values are transmitted to the coder 32 consisting of the gates 31 in FIG. 4. The alphabetical characters of the information become suppressed in the gates 30. Depending upon the value of the numerical quantities, one or more of the gates 31 become conducting, and the respective amplifier 33 applies a voltage signal to the corresponding electromagnet 102. Each signal resulting from a sensed or sampled symbol on the punched tape 2, becomes transmitted through the gate 34, and is applied to a counter 24 by way of the gate 35. This signal is, furthermore, applied to a flip-flop 37 constructed of gates 36. With the application of this signal to the counter 24, the latter executes an advancing step or position in its digital information. Thus, for each symbol of information read from the tape 2, a single signal is transmitted through the gate 34. The counter 24 is a conventional electronic unit capable of being actuated in the forward and reverse directions. The functional operation of this counter is further described in relation to FIGS. 7 to 9. The counter 24 can also be constructed of a mechanical unit with the capability of counting in an increasing and decreasing manner. At the same time, this counter 24 may also be in the form of a rotary selector. Through the preceding pulse signal applied to the counter 24, the thyristor 38 is transferred to the conducting state. This thyristor corresponds to the first position of the punching unit 20 for producing the punched card stock 3. With the thyristor 38 conducting, the electromagnets 102 become energized, corresponding to the particular value sensed by the tape reader for the first position. As a result of the programming plugboard 39, in FIG. 3, the second position of the counter 24 is connected with the second position of the punching unit 20. The electromagnets 102 corresponding to this second position become energized, in accordance with the proper information, through the thyristor 40.

The diodes 41 suppress the induced voltages appearing across the electromagnets 102 when disconnecting or switching off the circuits to these magnets. The diodes 42 are associated with all of the individual positions of the punching unit 20, and hence the respective electromagnets 102. The diodes 42 provide, thereby, the feature that when the thyristor 38 conducts, only the electromagnets 102 corresponding to the first position become energized. The sensed or read value from the tape 2 is, therefore, fed to all positions of the punching unit 20. However, through the action of the counter 24 in conjunction with the programming plugboard 39, the controlling pulse is transmitted only to one position of the punching unit 20, so that only that one position of the punching unit is effective.

To record the symbol of a diameter, the following operational steps are required:

A first sensed symbol operates on the circuitry for the purpose of transferring the typewriter from lowercase condition or setting to uppercase condition. This symbol becomes decoded in the conventional manner, and is applied to the gate 35 through the conducting path designated with the reference numeral 43. The gate 35 becomes thereby cut off, and the pulse signal arriving from the gate 34 becomes, thereby, suppressed so that it does not become further trans mitted to the'counter 24. Through the second symbol, an uppercase O is written, and the counter 24 is advanced one step or digit in the aforementioned manner. The next symbol leads to a backspacing of the typewriter carriage, and after being decoded, the symbol is applied to the flip-flop 37, by way of the connecting path 44. As a result, the gate 45 is transferred to the state whereby the counter 24 counts a step backwards when receiving a pulse from the gate 34, and being in an operative state. With the subsequent symbol, the slant of the diameter symbol becomes written, and the counter 24 becomes again actuated by one unit or position in the forward direction, in the manner described above. With the adjacent symbol, the typewriter becomes again transferred to the lowercase state or position, and the gate 35 becomes cut off through the connecting path 43. As a result, the counter 24 cannot be further advanced. If. the symbol CR denoted for carriage return in FIG. 1 becomes sensed or detected, the counter 24 becomes reset to its initial state, by way of the connecting path 156. Furthermore, through the connection 157, the coupling, not shown, for the arrangement of FIG. 5 becomes actuated, whereby the line block of the punching unit 20 becomes actuated and the card stock 3 becomes transported or advanced by one line.

The punching unit 20 is schematically represented in FIG. 5. In this arrangement, 40 control segments 101 are arranged behind each other, and an electromagnet 102 is provided for each control segment 101. Each of two control segments 101 displaced from each other and lying opposite to each other operate cooperatively together and are arranged to correspond to one marking field 15 in FIG. 2. When two of the electromagnets 102 become energized as a result of corresponding symbols or characters written by the typewriter, for example, the corresponding control segments 101 become released through the attracting armatures of the electromagnets. As a result of the action of the springs 104 secured at the ends 103, these released control segments 101 rotate about axes 105. Through this motion of the control segments, intermediate stamping or punching rods 106 which are linked to the segments 101, become moved beneath the stamping plate 107 to the extent that the control segments 101 abut the axles 109. of the resetting lever 108. After setting of all of the required control segments 101, the shaft 110 becomes actuated through a coupling, not shown. A connecting rod 111 is pivotably secured at the point 112 to a gear 113 which rotates in the direction denoted by the arrow B. At the end of the rod 111, opposite to the pivot 112, is a pin 114 which slides within an elongated opening 115. With the gear 113 rotating in the direction shown, the stamping plate 107 is moved vertically and onto the intermediate rods 106. The intermediate stamping rods 106 are guided by guide tracks 116 and are supported upon the intermediate stamping plate 117. These intermediate stamping rods 106 press the intermediate stamping plate 117 upon the hole punch or stamper 118. As a result of this action, the hole punch 118 becomes pressed through the guide plate 120, and against the action of the spring 119. The hole punch 113 is thus forced into the cutting plate 121, whereby the card stock 3 becomes punched. After the punching process, the cam 122 which is secured to the shaft 110, rotates against rollers 124 at the ends of the resetting levers 108 which are pivotably mounted about axes 123. With the high portion of the cam 122 bearing against the rollers 124, the resetting levers 108 become rotated in the direction designated by the arrow F. The rotation of the resetting lever 108 about the axes 123, is against the action of springs 126 which are fixed at ends 125. The resetting levers 108, thereby, press or force the control segments 101 back to their initial positions, through the pins or axles 109 at the ends of the levers. The gear 113 is in mesh with a gear 128 mounted upon a shaft 127. A transporting wheel or rotary member 128 is also mounted upon this shaft 127. After the punching process has been concluded, this shaft 127 becomes rotated in the direction denoted by the arrow G, as a result of the rotation of the gear 129 in mesh with the gear 113. As a result of this rotation of the transporting wheel 128, the punched card 3 is advanced by one line step. In particular, the gear 113 is constructed in the form ofa gear tooth segment. For purposes of achieving a precise centering condition, the ratchet or blocking wheel 130 cooperates, in the conventional manner, with the centering bolts 131, the spring 132 and the receptacle 133. A clearing punch 135 is guidably movable within a guiding track 134. This clearing stamp or punch 135 is brought against the control segments 101 when an incorrect value or error has been inserted. Thus, when such an error is introduced into the machine, the clearing punch 135 is brought against the corresponding control segments 101. By briefly depressing the clearing punch 135 against the action of the spring 136, the control segments 101 are returned to their initial states, shown in FIG. 5. In this manner, these control segments can then be actuated to a new setting.

In FIG. 6, an automatic transcribing system is produced from a tape reader 25, a typewriter 150, and a tape punch 151. The symbols read from the tape 2 by thetape reader 25, are applied to a decoder 152. The latter decodes the signals and instructs the typewriter 150 to write the designated symbols upon the printed form 1a. The written symbols become, furthermore, coded by the coder 153, which transmits the symbol information to a tape punch 151. This punch applies holes to the tape 2a, corresponding to the symbols read from the tape 2. The counter 24, decoder 27, programmer 39, coder 32, and the punch unit for punching the card 3, all correspond to the pulse circuitry illustrated in detail in FIG. 4. All of these preceding elements which are shown in detail in FIG. 4, are contained within the outlined border 154. In FIG. 3, the pulse signals for applying to this embodiment, are generated through the contacts 26 of the tape reader 25. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, on the other hand, these corresponding pulse signals are transmitted to the tape punch 151, through the typewriter 150. These pulse signals from the typewriter 150 are taken from the tape punch 151 and are applied directly to the decoder 27.

The block diagram of the counter 24 which is used in the arrangements of FIG. 3, 4 and 6, and which has the capability of counting in the forward and reverse directions, is shown in FIG. 7. This counter consists of several stages connected in series to form a synchronized counter based upon the principle of propagating signals between stages, in series. The controlling aspects of the counter are described in further detail in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 8, the blocks which are functionally described in FIG. 7, are shown in greater detail for the counter 24 with features to count in the forward and reverse directions. The counter operates on the basis of the 8-4-2-1 code, and assumes the initial position or state shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 8, for counting in the forward direction. If, now, a pulse is applied to the input of the flip-flop towards FFA, this flip-flop stage transfers state and the counter indicates a l. The outputs of the flip-flop FFA are connected to the gates 201 and 202 which are arranged as AND gates with outputs connected to the flip-flop FFB. Since a zero prevails at the inputs J and K of each of the flip-flops FFB, FFC and FFD, the states of these flip flops do not become changed. As a result of a transfer in state of the flip-flop FFA, the flip-flop FFB becomes prepared or is made ready for the next or subsequent pulse. The next applied pulse switches or transfers the flip-flop FFA to its initial state, and the flip-flop FFB transfers states so that the counter indicates the count of 2. For further switching and transfer of states of the counter in the further stages, not described, the gates 203 to 230 are required. The transmission of a signal or "carry" to the next decade stage denoted in the block diagram of FIG. 7 as the second decimal stage, results only when a zero" (0) signal appears at the output of the gate 214. This zero signal is applied by the flip-flop FFA to the respective decade. When a pulse is applied to the flip-flops FFA, FFB, FFC and FFD, through the carriage return contact CR, for all decades, then the counter assumes the initial state shown in the circuit diagram in the forward counting position. The required states of the counter or counting in reverse or backwards, are not shown since these involve well-known conventional arrangements.

The decoding of the counter 24 corresponding to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, is illustrated in FIG. 9. The decoder consists of 10 gates 231 to 240. The decoded numeral or digit becomes indicated through a zero" signal at the outputs d, to d In this regard, it is essential that the inputs of the decoding circuit (AT, BIB, tc.) be connected with the outputs of the flip-flops (AK, B, B, etc.).

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions difiering from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in card-punching machines, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A card-punching arrangement comprising, in combination, hole-punching means for selectively punching holes through card means; signal means for providing signals corresponding to infonnation contained in punched tape means, said information to be stored along a line of said card means by punched holes in the latter; code-modifying means connected to said signal means and receiving said signals from the latter in predetermined coded form, said code-modifying means translating said predetermined code from said signal means into a translated code for storing said information along said' line on said card means; counting means connected to said code-modifying means; and interchangeable selecting means connected between the output of said counting means and said hole-punching means for directing the latter to punch holes at predetermined locations along said line of said card means in dependence on the particular selecting means chosen so as to enable changing the sequence of the holes and thus the sequence of the information punched along the line.

2. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal means comprises punched tape reader means.

3. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal means comprises tape-punching means.

4. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said counting means comprises digital counting means.

5. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim I including means for selectively transmitting to said counting means predetermined symbols of information.

6. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 5 wherein said symbol comprises transition information for changing from lowercase to uppercase indicia.

7. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 5 wherein said symbol comprises transition information for changing from uppercase to lowercase indicia.

8. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said counting means comprises a digital electronic counter with means for counting in forward and reverse directions, said counter counting in the reverse direction when receiving a predetermined signal.

9. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said interchangeable selecting means comprises plugboard means for varying the program of said interchangeable selecting means. 

1. A card-punching arrangement comprising, in combination, holepunching means for selectively punching holes through card means; signal means for providing signals corresponding to information contained in punched taPe means, said information to be stored along a line of said card means by punched holes in the latter; code-modifying means connected to said signal means and receiving said signals from the latter in predetermined coded form, said code-modifying means translating said predetermined code from said signal means into a translated code for storing said information along said line on said card means; counting means connected to said code-modifying means; and interchangeable selecting means connected between the output of said counting means and said hole-punching means for directing the latter to punch holes at predetermined locations along said line of said card means in dependence on the particular selecting means chosen so as to enable changing the sequence of the holes and thus the sequence of the information punched along the line.
 2. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal means comprises punched tape reader means.
 3. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal means comprises tape-punching means.
 4. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said counting means comprises digital counting means.
 5. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 1 including means for selectively transmitting to said counting means predetermined symbols of information.
 6. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 5 wherein said symbol comprises transition information for changing from lowercase to uppercase indicia.
 7. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 5 wherein said symbol comprises transition information for changing from uppercase to lowercase indicia.
 8. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said counting means comprises a digital electronic counter with means for counting in forward and reverse directions, said counter counting in the reverse direction when receiving a predetermined signal.
 9. The card-punching arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said interchangeable selecting means comprises plugboard means for varying the program of said interchangeable selecting means. 